Here he is as a boy - I assume that's him standing. He had quite a few siblings, although most did not survive to adulthood. Siblings included Rosa (Rose) survived to adulthood, Aldolph (died at 4 years), John (died at 1 month), Florence (died at 2 months), Ralph (died at 3 weeks), Arnold (died at 7 years), Alice survived to adulthood, Thelma survived to adulthood, and Thane died at 3 weeks. I don't know which one is the infant in the photo.
Assuming that he was about 5 years old in the photo, it would have been in 1893. At that time, either Benjamin Harrison (up to 1893) or Grover Cleveland (1893-1897) was President. In his own election, Harrison had lost the popular vote but carried the electoral college. National events at the time included the conclusion of the Indian Wars (the massacre of Wounded Knee was in 1890), long distance telephone service began (1893, Chicago to New York), the Hawaiian government was overthrown and Hawaii became a US "protectorate" (1893) (for more detailed timeline, see this site)
There was a deep depression starting in 1893, starting with the New York stock market crash. The Chicago stockyards were infamous for expoiting immigrant workers in inhumane conditions. The first moving picture was shown in 1896. More on this timeline here.
I have a copy of a letter from his father to his mother, dated 6/17/1899. Apparently, Adolph had moved for a while to Chicago to find work in a butcher shop. It does not sound like he was in the infamous stockward meat packing plants, but rather a neighborhood butcher shop. The owner of the shop was named Casazza. In the letter, he states (I left the spelling and grammer unchanged):
"My Dear Wife and Childrens I received both of your letters and was glat to from you all. Dear Anni i am workt to death i got to look after Everything what comes in and what goes out. Johnny is slow at catching on i get up at 4.30 am and go to bet when i am done. i got to Ledger my Counts every Eving. Casazza was on a Drunk since last Saturday he never says a wrong word to me. he say i chould run the stor just the same ast it was my own. this is saturday afternoon 3.30 pm i wont have any time tomottow i want to sleep in the afternoon i got Everythin i want.
Dear Anni i feel lonesome at times. But it is money i am after i dont know if any news only Mrs Ellerbrook is in Quincy again i think she will call on you i tolt der to call on you. Tell Arnolt to be a good Boy so he wont be like the other one you will find something in the letter it is for Alice my Sweethardt. i am going Put in some Dye for Arnolt then can Dye some Eggs. Sent my best Regards to all to your folks. I remain Yours Truly A Wachenheim.
a kiss from Me and kiss the Childrens for me Good By Anni. Write soon i always like to hear from You."
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